Zaidi Sets 2027 Deadline as Militias Log 171 US Air Incursions
Iran-backed groups claim US aircraft violated Iraqi airspace 171 times since the coalition's withdrawal, complicating Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi's disarmament plan.
By Marco Graham ·
The Islamic Resistance in Iraq, an umbrella organization for Iran-backed militias, reported that 171 US fighter jets and reconnaissance aircraft entered Iraqi airspace between September 30 and Friday. The group stated that these flights occurred after the US-led anti-ISIS coalition formally ended its military mission in Iraq on September 30. The allegations have not been independently verified by other observers.
Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi has extended the deadline for disarmament to June 30, 2027. In an interview with Iraqi state media, Zaidi said that by that date, no weapons will remain outside the framework of the state. He described the goal as making Iraq a state free of factions, with weapons exclusively in the hands of Iraqi security forces. The government seeks to bring militia weapons under state control as part of a transition following the coalition's exit.
The militias accused Baghdad of appeasing the United States due to Washington’s pressure on Iraq. The IRI stated that it was unhappy with Baghdad’s decision to reduce commercial flights and close border crossings with Iran. Several powerful factions have rejected the disarmament initiative, while others have expressed willingness to cooperate. Kataib Hezbollah and Harakat al-Nujaba remain opposed to the policy. In contrast, Harakat Ansar Allah al-Awfiya and Kataib Sayyid al-Shuhada have indicated they will work with government measures.
The US State Department published an updated travel advisory on Saturday, warning of increasing regional threats that could affect security in Iraq. The advisory cited the threat of increased attacks by the Iranian-backed Houthis. It noted that Houthi attacks against Saudi Arabia, including strikes on civilian airports and critical infrastructure, could lead to wider regional escalation. The State Department warned that hostilities have the potential to escalate rapidly beyond the immediate area. The advisory maintained the existing warning against all travel to Iraq.
The State Department stated that the Iraqi government cannot guarantee the safety of US citizens against sudden outbreaks of violence and armed conflict. The warning specifically noted that terrorists, including ISIS and Iran-aligned militias, encourage and conduct attacks against US persons and interests in Iraq. The advisory cited attacks involving drones, indirect fire, and improvised explosive devices as potential threats. Target areas include airports, energy infrastructure, hotels, and diplomatic facilities.
US intelligence warned that Iranian efforts to assassinate American diplomats and officials in the Middle East have increased. A memorandum dated Friday from National Intelligence Director Jay Clayton to Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that some alleged Iranian plots had reached advanced stages. Washington has reduced staffing at several embassies amid concerns about regional escalation. The warnings reflect a broader security environment where Iran-aligned factions continue to portray their weapons as necessary for confronting Washington and Israel.
